The nation's showcase for independent film opens this week. The 2006 Sundance Film Festival runs from January 19th through 29th in Park City, Utah, attracting independently-minded movie makers from around the world. This year, several Ohioans are making the trek to this tiny mountain town to screen their latest works, hoping for a shot at the big-time. ideastream's David C. Barnett will also travel to Park City to report on the fortunes of these filmmakers and to offer some perspectives on an annual event that launched the careers of Steven Soderbergh, Quentin Tarantino and many others. You can hear DCB's reports on Morning Edition on Friday January 20 at 8:40 and Friday January 27th at 8:40. David will also be calling in to Around Noon on Thursday, January 19th, Monday January 23rd, and Friday January 27th.

You can read David C. Barnett's Sundance Diaries below:

Sundance Diary #1: Ohio Invades Utah [Read]
Sundance Diary #2: Family Ties [Read]
Interview: Julia Reichert and Steven Bognar [Listen]
Sundance Diary #3: Waiting for the Sundance [Read]
No Umbrella: Election Day in the City - Laura Paglin Interview [Listen]
Projecting a Good Image - Bill Taggart Interview [Listen]
Sundance Diary #4: Fade to Black [Read]